General

• Minimize words.
  • No full sentences; only keywords.
  • Use images, symbols, and graphs as much as possible.
• Reread notes to reprocess, integrate, and build on them.
• Prioritize practicality over aesthetics. Add colors and other tools only when needed.
• Manually write notes when possible. The physical act of writing helps with memory.

Non-linear Note-taking Styles

Mapping

• Focuses on relationships, flows, and connections between concepts and objects.
• Good for highly interconnected topics.
• Good for integrating a subject into a larger base of information.

SQ4R

Zettelkasten

What to Do with Notes

Reference Materials

• Academia
• Management of information, people, and projects
• Commonplace notebook
  • Day-to-day use
  • Generating connections and ideas

Writing

• Academic papers and essays
• Speeches, presentations
• Fiction and non-fiction books
• Blogging
• Personal learning

From A System for Writing by Bob Doto. While the diagram focuses on the Zettelkasten style of note-taking, the process can be easily adapted for other note styles.